BOSTON – Representative Mike Connolly and Senators Julian Cyr and Lydia Edwards were joined by over 40 of their legislative colleagues to launch the Housing for All caucus in the Massachusetts Legislature for its second term on February 26, 2025.
At the inaugural meeting, members were joined by Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus, who presented the Administration’s newly released comprehensive housing production plan, A Home for Everyone. The Secretary also fielded questions and addressed comments from members on topics such as rent stabilization, a real estate transfer fee, zoning reform and regulations around by-right accessory dwelling units, housing production and financing, and homelessness prevention, among others. It was also announced that Senator Lydia Edwards will succeed Senator Cyr as the Senate co-chair of the caucus.
"Since its inception two years ago, I have been honored to be a member of the Housing for All Caucus, and I am very proud of the work we did while I co-chaired with Representative Mike Connolly during the last legislative session," said Senator Cyr (D-Truro). "The day of the first caucus meeting this year I was thrilled to learn of my appointment as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, a role most recently filled by Senator Lydia Edwards, who is taking my place (and returning to her place) as co-chair of the Housing for All Caucus. Senator Edwards and I remain eye-to-eye on the severity of the housing crisis, which continues to be the biggest hurdle to ensuring that Massachusetts continues to be the best place to live, raise a family or start a business. I am so happy to be passing this baton to and from a like-minded colleague dedicated to finding creative solutions to our most pressing challenges."
"I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Cyr with the caucus last term, and thankful to once again be joined by Representative Connolly and many of my colleagues from the legislature in this work," said Senator Lydia Edwards (D-Boston). "Everyday, I hear from families in my district who are facing eviction, rent increases, and housing instability. While we made significant progress last term, I remain committed to using every tool available to address the housing crisis, deliver immediate relief to families in need, and to work collaboratively to create a system that makes housing truly affordable for all."
"I am proud to kick off the second term of the Housing for All legislative caucus alongside so many of our legislative colleagues," said Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). "I’m grateful to Senator Cyr for his partnership on this caucus last term, and look forward to working with Senator Edwards again this term. The ongoing affordable housing emergency demands our continued focus and calls for bold, collaborative, and comprehensive solutions. I look forward to continuing to organize with the caucus as a way to build support for further legislative action on a wide range of housing policies."
The caucus aims to build consensus around policies that address all facets of the housing crisis, including:
- Advancing the vision of Housing as a Human Right
- Combatting housing discrimination in all forms
- Supporting local affordable housing initiatives and programs
- Collaborating with the Housing Secretary and Attorney General to improve housing systems and access
To achieve these goals, the caucus will advocate for legislation, advance budget priorities, expand knowledge among legislators and the public, and foster collaboration with key stakeholders—including the administration, legislative leadership, local housing authorities, affordable housing developers, tenant associations, and community organizations.
Current members for the 194th session are listed below; this list is still being updated.
Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
Sen. Adam Gomez
Rep. Francisco E. Paulino
Sen. Michael Brady
Sen. Jo Comerford
Sen. Sal DiDomenico
Rep. Margaret Scarsdale
Sen. Pat Jehlen
Rep. Carol Doherty
Rep. David LeBoeuf
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
Rep. Natalie Higgins
Rep. Danillo Sena
Rep. Christopher Flanagan
Rep. Kate Donaghue
Rep. Steven G. Xiarhos
Rep. Leigh Davis
Rep. Joan Meschino
Rep. Sam Montaño
Rep. Michelle Badger
Sen. Jason Lewis
Rep. Jim Hawkins
Rep. James Arena-DeRosa
Sen. Jacob Oliveira
Rep. Vanna Howard
Sen. Pavel Payano
Rep. Rita Mendes
Rep. Antonio Cabral
Rep. Tara Hong
Rep. David DeCoste
Rep. Carmine Gentile
Rep. Manny Cruz
Rep. Amy Sangiolo
Rep. Steve Owens
Rep. Chynah Tyler
Rep. John Moran
Rep. Kip Diggs
Rep. Hadley Luddy
Sen. Bruce Tarr
Rep. Dawne Shand
Rep. Carole Fiola
Rep. Steven Ouellette
Rep. Andy Vargas
Sen. Jamie Eldridge
